Alteraciones eritrocitarias como biomarcadores de estrés genotóxico en aves acuáticas migratorias de humedales de Durango, México

Wild birds are valuable environmental bioindicators because of their sensitivity to ecological disturbances and their position within trophic networks. We evaluated hematological biomarkers in 109 migratory waterbirds from four species: Spatula discors, Anas crecca, Spatula clypeata, and Anser caerulescens. Polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE), erythrocytic micronuclei (MN), and nuclear buds (NB) were quantified. Interspecific differences were detected: S. discors showed the highest PCE frequency (35.1), whereas S. clypeata exhibited the highest NB frequency (3.20). Micronuclei were infrequent across species, with the highest mean recorded in A. caerulescens (0.14). This study provides the first report of erythrocytic abnormalities in S. discors and S. clypeata. Values observed in A. crecca and A. caerulescens differed from previous reports, possibly reflecting latitudinal, seasonal, or environmental variation. These findings provide baseline data and support the use of erythrocytic biomarkers in environmental assessment and ecotoxicological monitoring of migratory waterbirds across geographically distinct populations and varying environmental contexts worldwide.